In the vibrant heart of Goyang, South Korea, a golfing spectacle is unfolding that has captured the attention of enthusiasts worldwide. The LPGA`s International Crown tournament, a rare team-based competition, has become the stage for a display of dominance by the United States team, which appears to be on a relentless march towards the semifinals, leaving a trail of broken records and formidable opponents in its wake.
A Perfect Record and a Stunned Star
The American contingent, seeded number one, has maintained a flawless record, securing its third and fourth fourball victories on Friday. This sterling performance has not merely guaranteed them a spot in Sunday`s semifinals but has also delivered a significant upset. The pairing of Yealimi Noh and Angel Yin delivered a decisive 5&4 victory over Thailand`s top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul and Pajaree Anannarukarn. This result was particularly noteworthy as it marked Thitikul`s first loss in the event after an impressive streak of six consecutive match wins—a testament to the pressure and precision brought by the American duo.
Not to be outdone, Lilia Vu and Lauren Coughlin continued the U.S. momentum, securing a comfortable 3&2 win against Thailand`s Chanettee Wannasaen and Jasmine Suwannapura. With these victories, the United States leads Pool A with a commanding four points, having already defeated China twice on Thursday. Their unbeaten run positions them as the team to watch, raising the question of whether any rival can truly challenge their formidable form.
Battles Beyond the Summit: Pool Play Intensifies
While the U.S. enjoys its position at the top, the fight for the remaining semifinal berths is a fiercely contested affair. In Pool A, Australia and China split their Friday fourball matches, indicating a tight race. Minjee Lee and Stephanie Kyriacou of Australia secured a 2&1 win against China`s Zhang Weiwei and Liu Yan, but China retaliated with Yin Ruoning and Ruixin Liu clinching a dramatic 1-up victory over Australians Hannah Green and Grace Kim. Every point here becomes a critical chess move in the strategic landscape of team golf.
Pool B presented its own set of nail-biting encounters. Japan and Sweden also saw their matches split. Japan`s Miyu Yamashita and Rio Takeda bested Sweden`s Madelene Sagstrom and Ingrid Lindblad 3&2, only for Sweden to rally with Maja Stark and Linn Grant defeating Mao Saigo and Ayaka Furue of Japan by the same margin. This back-and-forth action underscores the depth of talent across these international teams.
The “World team,” a unique compilation of top players from nations not independently represented, is proving to be a dark horse contender, leading Pool B with three points after two wins and two ties against South Korea. A standout moment saw England`s Charley Hull, paired with New Zealand`s Lydia Ko, sink a crucial 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to seal a 1-up victory over South Korea`s Hyo Joo Kim and Hye-Jin Choi. The dramatic finish epitomized the high stakes of the competition, as Hull remarked on the pressure: “I managed to whack it, but I don`t want to whack it too hard because I don`t want to have a fiddler coming back. So just thought hole it and save the stress.” Meanwhile, South Korea`s Jin Young Ko and Haeran Ryu managed a tie against Wei-Ling Hsu of Taiwan and Canada`s Brooke Henderson, keeping their hopes alive.
The Road Ahead: Semifinals and the Crown
The tournament`s format, which pits seven individual countries and a “rest of the world” team against each other across two pools, is designed for exactly this kind of intense, strategic play. Teams and their player pairings are meticulously chosen based on women`s world rankings, ensuring a high caliber of competition. With all eight teams set to play a third set of fourball matches on Saturday, the final push for the top two spots in each pool will be decisive. Those who emerge victorious will advance to Sunday`s semifinals and the grand final, where the format shifts to one foursomes (alternate shot) and two singles matches—a true test of individual skill and team cohesion under immense pressure.
As the LPGA`s Asian swing continues, with upcoming stops in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Shiga, Japan, the International Crown serves as a thrilling precursor, demonstrating the global appeal and competitive spirit of women`s professional golf. The American team, having navigated the initial stages with such clinical efficiency, now stands on the precipice of glory. The question remains: can they maintain their formidable charge and ultimately claim the International Crown?
Connor Westbrook